8. Peter J. Bernard

Chief Executive, Bon Secours Virginia

click to enlarge

Scott Elmquist

Move over, RGIII: Bernard’s making a power play. Richmond’s second-largest hospital chain is building a $24 million complex at the former Westhampton Elementary School property and investing $8.5 million to expand its Richmond Community Hospital. Bernard, chief executive of Bon Secours Virginia, aligned those projects with the goals of city and state leaders, scoring the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center and its accompanying hoopla. In a different camp from HCA, Bon Secours also has aligned with Bill Goodwin (No. 2) and his wife, and the Pediatricians Associated to Care for Kids lobbying group, in calling for the creation of a freestanding children’s hospital — a project that remains in flux. Locally, the visible Bernard oversees St. Mary’s Hospital, Memorial Regional Medical Center, Richmond Community Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center — places where burgundy and gold are encouraged with hospital whites.

We make sense of the news; pursue those in power; explore the city's arts and culture; open windows on provocative ideas; and help readers know Richmond through its people. We give readers the information to make intelligent decisions.